Oregon takes steps toward campaign finance reform

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Oregon is one of only five states to have absolutely no limits on how much money can be donate to political campaigns.

But lawmakers took a step to change that Thursday. The House passed House Bill 2714, a measure approving the state’s first campaign contribution limits in decades.

The proposal caps contributions to House and Senate candidates at $1,000 and $1,500, respectively. Contributions to all other statewide candidates would be capped at $2,800.

The measure now goes to the Senate. Voters would have to approve the limits in the 2020 election. They’d also have to approve changing the state’s Constitution to allow for campaign finance reform in the first place.